ISHIB Patient Portal

Living life to the fullest is important at any age, which is why the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks (ISHIB) would like to make you aware of a new study on healthy aging and independence. The ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study will determine whether taking a daily low-dose aspirin leads to a healthy, independent life as we age.

ASPREE is the largest international trial ever funded by the US National Institute on Aging and is examining whether the potential benefits of aspirin-, decreased risk of cognitive and functional decline, cardiovascular outcomes and mortality- outweigh the risks of bleeding for people age 65 and older. Over 19,000 people will participate in ASPREE in the US and Australia, and will be randomized to either daily aspirin or placebo for about 5 years. Richard Grimm, MD, PhD, a long-standing member of ISHIB and a co-author of our 2010 consensus paper published in Hypertension, is the US PI of the trial.

ASPREE in the US offers a unique opportunity for you to play a vital role in providing new insight into aging. We support this study and encourage you to help in the following ways:

• Ensure that your patients take aspirin only for a specific clinical indication.
In spite of the lack of research that has adequately measured the risk/benefit ratio of daily aspirin as primary prevention in older individuals, many people start an aspirin regimen without consulting their doctor, and many are instructed to take it for prevention- without clinical indication. No research studies in this age group has adequately demonstrated the risk/ benefit ratio effect of aspirin which is why ASPREE is being conducted.

• Refer eligible participants. Any potential participants can contact one of our study sites for screening. A list of sites can be found at www.ASPREE.org.

Currently in the US ASPREE is only open to participants from minority groups (Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic or Native American U.S. Caucasian recruitment has been completed.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.